An Upper Pittsgrove man has been charged with assaulting and Elmer Police officer.

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. — A man faces numerous charges after allegedly assaulting an Elmer police officer and grabbing his gun when the two struggled as the officer attempted to arrest the suspect along a local roadway here, authorities said.

The incident took place Friday evening on Shirley Road, just outside of the Elmer Borough limits, according to Elmer Police Department Captain Patrick Bryan.

Bryan gave this account of the incident:

The Elmer Ambulance was dispatched to a Burlington Road residence about 7:22 p.m. Friday. There, the ambulance crew called police after the patient, identified as Jeffrey Stevenson, 42, became combative and left the home.

New Jersey State Police were dispatched and Elmer Police were asked to come in for backup.

According to Bryan, Elmer Police Det. Sgt. Steve Felice encountered Stevenson walking along Shirley Road. Felice left his patrol vehicle to check on Stevenson’s well-being at which time Stevenson became combative, Bryan said.

Stevenson came toward Felice and struck him at which time the officer told Stevenson he was under arrest. At that point, as Felice attempted to take Stevenson into custody, a struggle ensured and the men fell to the ground.

Stevenson grabbed Felice’s service revolver from its holster, Bryan said. Felice was able to grab Stevenon’s hand and regain conrol of the gun as the two struggled, Bryan said.

At that point, an unidentified passer-by stopped and aided Felice in getting Stevenson under control and handcuffed, Bryan said. State Police arrived on the scene and put Stevenson into a patrol car.

After the struggle, both Felice and Stevenson were transported to South Jersey Healthcare-Elmer Hospital. Felice was treated, including for an injured knee.

Stevenson was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purposed — for allegedly grabbing Felice’s gun, Bryan said.

His bail was set at $30,000.

Bryan said Stevenson appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the incident.